Several people, including 29 securitymen, were injured in clashes, firing and lathicharge by security forces in parts of Srinagar, Anantnag and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, official sources said.
Security personnel opened fire at Rajouri Kadal in the vicinity of Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar after teargas-shelling and baton charge proved ineffective in dispersing stone-pelting protestors, the sources said.
One Tuaab Ahmad Bhat was critically injured in the firing.
The sources said the firing was resorted to after a mob resorted to heavy stone-pelting, injuring 21 Central Reserve Police Force men and eight police personnel.
The violent protests erupted shortly after Friday prayers when people tried to stage demonstrations in violation of prohibitory orders in force in the city in response to a call given by the separatist co-ordination committee in support of "right to self-determination".
Rajouri Kadal alongwith Nowhatta, Kadi Kadal, Kani Kadal, Habbakadal and Maisuma in the city witnessed fierce clashes for most part of the day, disrupting normal life in Lal Chowk and adjoining areas, the sources said adding, 12 people, including a girl were also injured in the clashes while seven civilian vehicles were damaged.
Six youths were detained.
Kashmir Bar Association led by its president Mian Abdul Qayoom took out a procession from lower court premises to Lal Chowk immediately after the Friday prayers, the sources said adding the march ended peacefully.
The police also used batons and fired teargas shells to break processions at Anantnag and Arwani towns in south Kashmir and Sopore in Baramulla district of north Kashmir, the sources said. Eight persons were injured in the clashes.